Copyright Kent Past 2010
Kent Past
The History of Kent
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History of Leybourne
Leybourne comes from the Old English ‘burna’ meaning a ‘stream’ combined with a warlord’s name; therefore, ‘Lylla’s stream’. The Domesday Book chronicles Leybourne as Leleburne.
Leybourne parish church is a Grade: II listed building, dedicated to Saint Peter
and Saint Paul. The Normans built it shortly after their arrival, with additions
and extensions in the 13th century. Sir Roger de Leybourne went on crusade with Prince
Edward (later Edward I) although died on the way in 1271. They preserved his heart
and returned it for burial in a casket in the heart shrine, in the north wall of
the church. In 1552, there is a record of two bells in the tower, to which Giles
Reve added a third in 1585. In 1815, the upper part of the tower collapsed, together
with the south-